New Flagship 4G LTE Device in Sprint Lenexa Labs for testing

We let the cat out of the bag a little early yesterday in a screen shot from another article, but Sprint 4G Rollout Updates can report to you that a new mystery device (currently codenamed NDA #105) has entered Sprint's Lenexa Labs for testing. S4GRU has actually known about this device since February, but now that the source has approved the release of the documents, we are reporting it to you.

What we know is that the device must be a high end flagship device, because it sports the uber powerful Qualcomm S4 Snapdragon MSM8960 dual-core chipset, like what is in the new EVO 4G LTE. This chip is often touted to be equal or better than their upcoming quad core competitiors. We also know that it was scheduled to begin Sprint lab testing yesterday. And we also know it is targeted for a late summer launch. Most likely in September.

Screenshot of the Lab Schedule. These are the LTE capable devices scheduled in the lab through summer as of 4/11/2012.

The device most likely is either the Sprint variant of the Samsung Galaxy S-III (which is being rumored that the American LTE version will have the S4), or possibly a new successor to the Motorola Photon with LTE (which is also persistent in the rumor mill). Some even speculate it could be a new Windows Phone, based on the new Apollo platform.

The timing feels pretty good to speculate on the Galaxy S-III. However, it's interesting that credible rumors of a new Sprint Moto product started breaking around the time that engineering samples of this device were showing up at Sprint Corporate campus. We may be able to rule out the Samsung soon should it be confirmed that the American LTE version gets a quad core. So if I were forced to wager a bet, I'd go with the new Motorola Photon LTE at this point. But that's just speculative on my part.

Also of note is that Sprint is also planning to release a Data Card in September that is capable of running on both Sprint 4G networks, WiMax and LTE, in addition to 3G EVDO.

All we know definitively at this point is what is in the images here. Our source cannot even shed any further light than this. Stay tuned.

According to PocketNow.com this phone is none other than the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S3 (aka Samsung Epic Touch II, lol). Also as you mentioned it has the Qualcomm's Dual-Core Snapdragon S4 MSM8960, but any new LTE could have that. PocketNow and Phandroid have pulled the following user-agent profile from their site showing a device running on Sprints' own LTE network, or LTE capable:

Samsung SPH-L710 running a Qualcomm Dual-Core Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 with a screen resolution of 1280x720, 16GB of on-board memory upgradable to 64GB (guessing via microSD card slot) and running Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich. Also the Galaxy S3 from Sprint will perhaps come in three capacities, 16GB. 32GB and 64GB? The specs are similar to the Galaxy S3 Global Version GT-I9300 with just a different processor and LTE support. Also a similar find was made from what seems to be the Verizon branding of the Galaxy S3 with the same specs but with a different model number of SCH-I535 (Lines up with other model numbers for Verizon Samsung phones).

I personally still went ahead and ordered my HTC EVO 4G LTE as I prefer HTC phones and now the new EVO and Galaxy S3 will be near identical there is no choice to be made. Although I'll still love to see a head-to-head when the time comes.

According to PocketNow.com this phone is none other than the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S3 (aka Samsung Epic Touch II, lol). Also as you mentioned it has the Qualcomm's Dual-Core Snapdragon S4 MSM8960, but any new LTE could have that. PocketNow and Phandroid have pulled the following user-agent profile from their site showing a device running on Sprints' own LTE network, or LTE capable:Samsung SPH-L710 running a Qualcomm Dual-Core Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 with a screen resolution of 1280x720, 16GB of on-board memory upgradable to 64GB (guessing via microSD card slot) and running Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich. Also the Galaxy S3 from Sprint will perhaps come in three capacities, 16GB. 32GB and 64GB? The specs are similar to the Galaxy S3 Global Version GT-I9300 with just a different processor and LTE support. Also a similar find was made from what seems to be the Verizon branding of the Galaxy S3 with the same specs but with a different model number of SCH-I535 (Lines up with other model numbers for Verizon Samsung phones).I personally still went ahead and ordered my HTC EVO 4G LTE as I prefer HTC phones and now the new EVO and Galaxy S3 will be near identical there is no choice to be made. Although I'll still love to see a head-to-head when the time comes. :)More Links:http://phandroid.s3....rof-550x477.jpghttp://phandroid.com...6gb-of-storage/http://pocketnow.com...rizon-confirmed5th

I wouldn't assume that only one other MSM8960 device for Sprint is being tested. There could be several others.

According to PocketNow.com this phone is none other than the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S3 (aka Samsung Epic Touch II, lol). Also as you mentioned it has the Qualcomm's Dual-Core Snapdragon S4 MSM8960, but any new LTE could have that.

It is possible that it is the GS3. But this device has been on the schedule a long time. Since this document is dated April 11th, it is possible that the GS3 did not get put on the schedule until some time after that, and that would make the referenced device in the schedule yet another S4 LTE device. I'm not ready to make a determination which device it is yet, and it very well could be the GS3. Thanks for your post.

samsung has already said in their keynote they are bringing the S3 to the US in June. They dont want another S2 debacle where the US receives the device 6 months later, especially if they want to compete with Apple and the iPhone

In the Keynote Samsung wasn't specific as to what specifically was happening in June in regards to the S3. I sure hope it's a June availability too... But I expect they are referring to a June announced/pre-order.

So now that the Evo 4G LTE officially is being released on May 18th, what is being released on 6/10/12?!! Huawei has stated they will be releasing a CDMA/LTE phone in June. I hope its the Ascend D Quad on Sprint. That'd be nice.

So now that the Evo 4G LTE officially is being released on May 18th, what is being released on 6/10/12?!! Huawei has stated they will be releasing a CDMA/LTE phone in June. I hope its the Ascend D Quad on Sprint. That'd be nice.

There is not another device being launch on 6/10. Sprint decided to release the new EVO earlier than originally scheduled.

The device name is SPH-L710 which interestingly enough engadget reported received wifi certification back in February. http://www.engadget....uary-13th-2012/If it's been in the pipeline for this long, it would tend to indicate that the GS3 should be coming soon. Or at least I hope so.

A. It could be the NDA 105 in the schedule above. And thus would launch in September, maybe, plausibly as soon as August. Heck, the EVO beat the schedule by approx. 3 weeks.

B. It could be tested outside of Sprint labs (like Apple products), and thus not even on the schedule. If this is the case, it may release as soon as June. This is plausible because it may be the GS3 that received WiFi certification so far in advance.

C. Another possibility is that the GS3 was not yet on the lab schedule at all as of April 11th, but has since appeared. And if that's the case, maybe an expedited review will occur. So if it was slated to start lab testing as early as May 1, then the device may be on the market as soon as July 15th. If it flies through with no issues.

i really am leaning towards buying the galaxy nexus. stock android sounds great. my main concern is battery life. it sounds like the s4 chip is more efficient and lte power consumption might be better as well, but it's gonna be hard to know until the evo launches and full reviews are done. of course if i wait until the, i'll lose out on the $50 gift card from best buy (if i go with an evo lte pre-order) or the $40 google wallet credit (if i go with the galaxy nexus). decisions...decisions!